Really thinking of making the Trek to the Allen Hopkin Expo NEXT MARCH. Need some information from those who have been before.
I'm on their Amateur Tournament Staff. Maybe I can be of assistance.
Dates: ?
March 16th - 19th (Thrusday - Sunday)
Where is the Expo Actually Held: ?
It's actually held in the Valley Forge Convention Center. This center is attached to the Scanticon Hotel in Valley Forge (King of Prussia is another city 1 mile down the road to map search) and the Scanticon is connected by a very long hallway to the Radisson Hotel.
Where is the BEST PLACE to stay: ?
Obviously the Scanticon and the Radisson, but Dawn books all the vendors there first, so you'd be lucky to get a room from last April. Seriously. Dawn knows that hotel configuration better than their managers do. So do an MSN search on hotels for King of Prussia which is a mile or two (depending on hotel) from the road. Don't know about shuttle buses between the two sites, but King of Prussia has a ton of hotels because it is situated with two very high-priced/classy malls that attract shoppers. You should book now and keep track of your reservation. Plus, there are hotels near the mall that are signifcantly less expensive that the Radisson and the Scanticon.
How far from Ye Old Airport is the BEST Place to Stay: ?
The Philly Airport is about 15 miles away. You may want to consider renting a car IF you're going to stay away from the two host hotels. Rapid Rover can get you to your hotel in KoP for $30 per destination, but there really isn't any cab service readily available so you're on your own from there so another option is to check with the hotel you want to stay in to rent a car.
Rooms Cost WHAT: ?
I don't really know. I get comped because I'm staff, but I've heard the Radisson starts at $120 and the Scanticon is about that, too. It depends on the configuration of the room - suite/single King/two Queens, etc. Outside of the immediate Convention Center I know that people were getting rates from $50 on, depending on where you stayed. And all the hotels are just about 3 stars up in that area. Book early and play the rates game if you can.
Can you bring Cue, Cases, etc into the EXPO AREA: ?
Yes, but only if it's not more than a certain conguration and you don't have an Exhibitor's badge to give Security a reason why you're bringing in the case. Two reasons why this rule is enforced - One, my 6'5" 280 husband is the front line Security person. He will not let you get by. Neither will Jimmy. Also, there's walk-around people, too. Two - Dawn and Allen will not allow simple people off the street to try and sell cues to the public. This has happened before and the police were called and the offender was walked out by Security and led off by police. Security does get photos of the area. It's one thing to work with an established vendor, but to walk around and show cues to the general public is very much discouraged. But if you're a player in any event, you're only allowed to bring three cues with you to any event. (Okay, I'm also a Referee).
Any more tips for a first Time Visitor would be apprieciated....
If you want to visit Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell or Betsy Ross' house, you have to make a reservation. The city is beautiful and quaint and well worth the visit! 
I can even tell you what tourist traps to avoid, restaurant-wise. Let me know.
Thanks for all replying to me.....
